Psalms 142:1-7
David cries out to God in prayer from a cave, expressing his overwhelmed spirit and feeling of being trapped. He asks God to attend to his cry and deliver him from his persecutors. David expresses his hope that the righteous will surround him and that God will deal bountifully with him.
This chapter is notable for its expression of David's deep emotional distress and his reliance on God as his refuge, which has been a powerful theme in Christian devotion and worship.
1Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave.I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication.
2I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.
3When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
4I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
5I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
6Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
7Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.